I know what you’re about to say. “Nonsensical girl, you just did a giveaway.” Well you aren’t lying. But I have to give someone this book. You HAVE to own it. Have to. Have. to.

Move Toward the Mess by John Hambrick is one of these books.

Ever meet a book that makes you talk out loud to it as if it’s a Baptist Pastor? If you said no, you need to get yourself some new books. (I will consider that I am the weird one here, if you will give it a try. Just try it. Give an amen or a hallelujah next time you read something that really gets you to your soul.)

Move Toward the Mess explains that anyone who sins is the mess. (Anyone else feel a little awkward? We are each a mess. #legitlife)

Here are just a few of my favorite lines so far.

Jesus gets involved in the chaos of humanity- in all the bad decisions, all the complicated circumstances, all the crazy relationships, all the crises that defy simple answers. He wades right in and hangs around. He doesn’t begin by preaching at people. He begins by being with people.

(Regarding a prostitute Jesus encountered at a party) Jesus didn’t lecture the woman about the need to change her ways. He didn’t shame her, didn’t evaluate her, and didn’t give her a plan to get off the street.

You know how much we love our Taco Tuesdays around here. Well this quote hit me good, square in the forehead.

You can tell how your dinner parties are doing by who shows up. You will know you have connected with messy people if they arrive in your life.

I’m starting to think that if our only motives for moving toward the mess are that we feel we should go or ought to go, maybe it would be better if we didn’t go at all. I believe Jesus alluded to this when he said it is better to be cold than lukewarm.

Ouch.

This giveaway is an easy one. I have one book to give away. Just one. Tell me what you’re reading and what I should read next. I’ll put your name in the drawing.